Interactive Narrative Technique In The Depiction Of Societal Disintegration In Abdulrazak Gurnah’S Gravel Heart
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Date
2019Author
Matheka, Jacinta M
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
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This thesis is a critical analysis of interactive narrative technique in the depiction of societal disintegration in Abdulrazak Gurnah’s Gravel Heart. The thesis begins by providing an understanding of interactive narrative technique. I argue that interactive narrative technique is focused on according a reader the power to navigate the narration technique employed by an author to arrive at a meaning of a text. The exploration of this narration paths leads to realization of a fragmentariness in the structure of Gravel Heart. In the study, I argue that, Gurnah deploys a fragmented form of narration in telling the tale of disintegration. To arrive at fragmentariness in narration, I explore specific aspects in Gurnah’s narration strategy that point out to the same. These include; anachronic type of plot, multiple narration perspectives, use of the letter to fill gaps in narration and also as a mnemonic device, and use of silence to portray the inadequacy of words to express abjection. I, as well, explore characterization with a view to explaining how they catalyze or even epitomize societal disintegration. The study also presents the different images of a disintegrated society as portrayed by the author with a view to ascertaining that the narration strategy employed foregrounds the theme of societal disintegration. The images presented in the study are unhomeliness, oppressive sexuality, disintegrated Zanzibar post-colony and portrayal of squalor and filth as images of irresponsibility and unaccountability among citizens. In discussion of the variables of this study I deploy, Social abjection theory by Imogen Tyler and narratology theory by Gerard Genette as they help to comprehend Gravel Heart’s signature topic, societal disintegration.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Subject
Interactive NarrativeRights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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